Wisk Aero, a prominent Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company, has joined forces with the City of Sugar Land, Texas, in a groundbreaking partnership aimed at introducing autonomous AAM services to the Greater Houston region. The collaboration involves the identification and assessment of a location at the Sugar Land Regional Airport for the development of vertiport infrastructure, serving as the launchpad for Wisk’s autonomous air taxi operations.
This strategic alliance not only establishes the foundation for the Sugar Land initiative but also envisions a comprehensive network spanning the Greater Houston area. Wisk CEO Brian Yutko highlighted the significance of Sugar Land’s strategic location and forward-thinking leadership in propelling the launch of air taxi services, acknowledging the area’s rapid population growth.
Sugar Land City Manager Michael W. Goodrum expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing Sugar Land’s commitment to innovation and its role as a city that embraces change. The collaboration with Wisk Aero is seen as a catalyst for transformative travel solutions, not only within Sugar Land but on a global scale.
Texas State Representative David Cook lauded Wisk’s commitment to Advanced Air Mobility, positioning Texas as a frontrunner in this pioneering technology space. The collaboration reflects the outcomes envisioned by public-private partnerships facilitated by legislation passed during the 88th Legislative Session.
The partnership entails a range of activities, with Wisk providing expertise on technical aspects of autonomous eVTOL operations, including infrastructure, training, ground operational procedures, and potential site expansion. Sugar Land will focus on integrating AAM into long-term plans, community engagement, and establishing operational policies such as infrastructure permitting and noise levels.
Joint initiatives include exploring the possibility of incorporating maintenance and training facilities in Sugar Land and engaging local and regional stakeholders to develop air routes connecting Sugar Land to downtown Houston and the Houston Airport System.
Preceding the official announcement, Wisk dedicated the past 18 months to actively developing an ecosystem of stakeholders and local relationships, setting the stage for a robust partnership and ensuring the long-term success of future air taxi services.
About Wisk
Wisk is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company dedicated to delivering safe, every day flights for everyone. Wisk’s self-flying, eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi will make it possible for passengers to skip the traffic and get to their destination faster. Wisk is a fully-owned Boeing subsidiary and is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, with locations around the world. With over a decade of experience and over 1700+ test flights, Wisk is shaping the future of daily commutes and urban travel, safely and sustainably. Learn more about Wisk here.
About Sugar Land
Sugar Land Regional Airport (SGR) is a leader in corporate aviation while also providing for the needs of the general aviation community. Managing 75,000 operations annually, the airport can handle up to 268,000 operations. Runway 17-35 is 8,000 feet long and can handle some of the largest corporate jets like the Global Express or Gulfstream 650. The airport has been designated as a reliever airport for George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airport in Houston. Amenities include a luxurious terminal, concierge services from the highly-rated FBO, GlobalSelect, on-site U.S. Customs, and more. The airport contributes more than $69.9 million to the property tax rolls, supports the economic development initiatives of Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, and Southwest Houston, and is used by more than 100 Fortune 500 companies regularly. The airport plays a critical role in the region’s economic development as it provides an opportunity for corporate executives, minimizing the “chair to air” travel time. The airport’s quality and strategic proximity emerge as key factors influencing companies’ decisions to establish their headquarters in the Sugar Land area.